LEBLANC: This Memorial Day, don’t become a boating accident statistic

Modern life jackets like the one worn by this boater make wearing one simple and easy.

Modern life jackets like the one worn by this boater make wearing one simple and easy.

Photo: Larry J. LeBlanc

Photo: Larry J. LeBlanc

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Modern life jackets like the one worn by this boater make wearing one simple and easy.

Modern life jackets like the one worn by this boater make wearing one simple and easy.

Photo: Larry J. LeBlanc

LEBLANC: This Memorial Day, don’t become a boating accident statistic

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Memorial Day is one of the biggest boating holidays on our waterways in Texas and people from all over flock to our lakes, rivers and the Gulf Coast to get the sun and water all over them. They get the wind blowing through their hair, if they are so endowed, while skimming across the surface of the water enjoying that indescribable feeling of freedom brought about by such events made possible by our modern aquatic toys.

Normally if a person falls out of a boat, off of water skis or a jet ski at 30 or 40 miles per hour they soon find it is not like jumping off of a dock or the front deck of a stationary boat where the water will offer a wet, refreshing cushion to engulf and cool as you descend and then slowly floats you gently back to the surface. Instead it is very similar to hitting a hard slick surface that is unforgiving and insists that you bounce very unattractively across the surface, extremities askew, until sufficient speed has been bled off allowing you to break the surface tension of the water and sink. Hence the necessity of always wearing a live jacket when your boat is in motion.

We all want our holiday water experiences to be all of the fun they can be, but potential danger is always around that environment so we must always be prepared.

I am sure everyone has heard the old and worn saying concerning automobiles that speed kills. It may be old and tired, but it holds true for aquatic sports just like those on dry land. If you hit a dam, bridge pylon or another boat at forty miles per hour, it matters not the reason something is going to break. There are no seat belts or air bags in a boat and the occupants will surly end up thrown from the vehicle and at best probably stunned. If you are wearing an appropriate lifejacket they will float with their head out of the water and that will at least stop you from drowning if you are incapacitated.

Every boater knows, or should know, that when a flag is seen flying from a boat that a water skier is down in the water. It also means for any other boats in the area to pass wide of the stopped boat and keep a sharp eye out for anyone in the water. When a person is in the water they are not easy to see. A bright orange lifejacket helps, but usually all we see is a head sticking out of the water. When in doubt slow down and keep your eyes and attention focused on the area around the downed skier as there may be more than one.

If you happen to be pulling a skier you need someone watching the skier. Even if you have the approved rear view mirror it is still best for the driver of the boat to concentrate on driving the boat and the rest of the lake traffic and another person to watch the person being towed. That is the safest course of action.

Jet skis, wave runners or whatever you wish to call them are a load of fun. Like a chainsaw they are completely harmless until a human being is added to the equation. Then you have a potential problem.

A great deal of the problem can be attributed directly to pure selfishness of some operators. They are going to run wide open throttles no matter how many others are on the lake. They are going to have fun if it kills them, or someone else. So when you see one of these irresponsible people the only thing a person can do is to try to stay out of the way. If they are too blatant then it is time to call the law and have the offender addressed by the officials for the safety of everyone on the lake.

Two other areas that need to be addressed that can really affect your aquatic outing are sun and alcohol.

Sun screen is available at almost any retail establishment within 50 miles of a lake or the Gulf. Sunburn has been proven to cause long term damage to one’s skin. It can cause the appearance of premature aging of the skin. Worst of all it can cause the development of skin cancer farther on down the road of time. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to get sunburned with all of the sun screen products on the market.

Alcohol is the other big problem that can cause major disruptions to our day in the sun and water. Everyone should know that alcohol affects your ability to react timely and accurately to situations. It can also cause dehydration to increase if you are out in the hot sun and will not quench your thirst nor replenish the fluids required by your body. Add to those two points the high speed capabilities of our modern watercraft and you have a formula for disaster.

So friends there is nothing I would enjoy more than to have everyone take full advantage of all of the fun offered by our recreational waterways, but we all live in the real world where there are some thoughtless people so be ever alert and responsible and protect yourself and your family.